title: Occupational violence in general practice: a whole-of-practice problem. Results of a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the experiences of occupational violence in general practitioner (GP) and non-GP staff. Further objectives were to compare prevalence of violence in GP and non-GP staff and to examine levels of apprehension and perceptions of control over violence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional questionnaire-based study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A network of research general practices, New South Wales, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  GPs and non-GP staff--receptionist, practice-management, nursing and allied health staff.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experience of occupational violence during the previous 12 months. Other outcomes examined were workplace apprehension regarding violence, perception of occupational violence as a problem in general practice, and perception of control over violence in the workplace.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 125 questionnaire replies were received (response rate 55%), 59.3% of GPs and 74.6% of non-GPs had experienced work-related violence during the previous 12 months. The difference was not significant (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.20-2.06). Subjects in rural practices were more likely than those in urban practices to have experienced violence (OR 3.79, 95% CI 1.15-12.5). Personal experience of violence (OR 35.9, 95% CI 6.24-207) and a perception that violence is increasing (OR 8.33, 95% CI 1.89-36.6) were associated with apprehension regarding violence at work.
authors.affiliation: University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia. parker.magin@newcastle.edu.au
authors.forename: Parker J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Magin
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McElduff
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Goode
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Georgina L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Cotter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008503:Medical Staff; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*